C11E12: Physical Methods of Control

Chapter 11, Episode 12Microbial death is defined as the loss of the ability to reproduce, and effectiveness of control methods depends on factors like concentration, time, microbial load, and environmental conditions. Physical control methods include heat, cold, desiccation, osmotic pressure, radiation, and filtration. Heat is the most effective, especially moist heat like autoclaving, while cold and desiccation typically inhibit growth. Radiation damages DNA, filtration removes microbes, and osmotic pressure inhibits growth by removing water from cells. These methods vary in whether they kill microbes or simply slow their growth.